When Success Doesn't Look Like Success 

   Discovering The Will of God For Your Life and Obeying It

What does success look like to you? The world often defines success by position, power, and how much money you have. Some people would define success as having much influence or accomplishments, but God sees success as something completely different.

As Christians, our obedience to God can sometimes look the opposite of success. It can put us in places we’ve never expected to be. Sometimes you can be doing exactly what God has called you to do and still find yourself in a pit, in a prison, or in a waiting season wondering where God is.

Joseph is a beautiful example of this. In Genesis, chapter 37, he received two dreams from God revealing things in his future, but Joseph didn't understand everything the dreams would require for him to walk through before they came to pass.

Joseph wasn't pursuing a position or chasing fame. He wasn't trying to make his name great.

His heart was pointed toward God. Joseph's life demonstrated integrity. He was honest and morally upright, even when no one was watching.

Joseph chose to live with integrity even when doing the right thing cost him, and it did cost him.

He was betrayed by his brothers. He was thrown into a pit and sold into slavery. He was falsely accused and imprisoned.

None of that looked like the fulfillment of God's dream. From a worldly perspective, Joseph's life looked like failure, but heaven was writing a completely different story.

Genesis 50:20 says:

“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.”

What the enemy and others intended for evil, God was able to use for good. Joseph couldn't see the entire picture while he was sitting in the pit. He couldn't see it while serving in Potiphar's house or while sitting in prison, but God was working in all his circumstances.

Don't Let Discouragement Rewrite What God Has Spoken

One of Satan's most powerful tools is discouragement. Discouragement whispers:

“Maybe God didn't really say that, maybe you misunderstood” or “If this were really God's will, things wouldn't be this hard. Look at where you are. Nothing is changing.”

We need to remember that difficulty doesn't automatically mean disobedience. Sometimes the path of obedience is difficult because God is developing something in us that could never be developed through comfort alone.

Joseph had a dream, but before he stepped into the position connected to that dream, God had to develop Joseph's character.

The pit didn't cancel the promise.

The prison didn't cancel the promise.

The betrayal didn't cancel the promise.

The waiting didn't cancel the promise.

God was still God in the pit. He was still God in the prison, and He was still God when Joseph couldn't understand what He was doing. That is something we need to remember in our own lives. How many times have we looked at our circumstances and thought, "This cannot possibly be God's plan?”

Do you feel like you're in a pit right now and facing circumstances you can't seem to escape?

Has someone made you a promise and didn't keep it? Have you been praying for years and faithfully obeying God but nothing seems to have changed?

Don't allow an earthly disappointment to convince you that God has abandoned you.

Keep your eyes on Jesus and trust in Him, even when you can’t see what God is doing.  

Our eyes cannot remain fixed on the pit and still remain fixed on the One who is leading us out of it.

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith...” — Hebrews 12:2

“We walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7

   God's Success Is Often About Who We Become

Joseph's story wasn't simply about Joseph becoming second in command in Egypt. God was doing a work in him before He did a work through him. That is important for us to understand.

We may be asking God, “When will You change my circumstances?”

While God may be asking, “What am I developing in you while you are here?”

God wants to develop your character. Integrity, faithfulness, and obedience ~ they all matter!

Our success isn't ultimately determined by how impressive our lives look to other people.

True success is found in faithfully walking with God and obeying what He has called us to do.

Jesus said 

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” — Mark 8:36

The world may applaud the position, but God looks at the heart. The world may celebrate accomplishments, but God sees faithfulness. The world may call you successful because of what you have gained, but God calls you successful because you remained faithful when you had nothing to gain.

Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

Joseph didn't know how his story would end, but he continued walking faithfully through the chapter he was in, and maybe that's what God is asking some of us today to do.

You don't have to understand the entire story. You just have to obey God in the chapter you're living right now.

Don't allow discouragement to make you quit, or disappointment to make you bitter.

Don't allow betrayal to make you abandon integrity, or delay to make you believe God has forgotten you. Don't allow the world's definition of success to make you question God's direction.

God is working even when you cannot see Him working. The pit may be part of the journey and the waiting may be part of the preparation. The closed door may be protection and the delay may be development. The place that looks like the end may actually be the place where God is preparing you for what comes next.

Joseph's story reminds us that God doesn't waste our seasons. mWhat looks like a detour to us can still be part of God's purpose. Keep walking and obeying. Keep your integrity and keep trusting, and most importantly, keep your eyes on Jesus. Success God's way isn't about becoming impressive in the eyes of the world, it's about becoming faithful in the eyes of God.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” — Proverbs 3:5-6

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.” — Romans 8:28

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” 

— Galatians 6:9

Two Action Steps

1. Ask God, “What does obedience look like for me today?”

Instead of becoming consumed with everything you don't understand about the future, focus on the next step God has placed in front of you. Obey Him in today's assignment.

2. Refuse to let discouragement become your decision-maker.

When disappointment comes, take it to God before you make a decision. Pray, open His Word and remind yourself of what He has already spoken. Your circumstances may change, but God's character does not.

Father, 

Thank You that Your definition of success is so much greater than the world's definition.

Help us to discover Your will and then have the courage to obey it, even when obedience doesn't look successful to the people around us. Give us the integrity of Joseph. Help us to do what is right when no one is watching, and help us remain faithful when we feel overlooked, misunderstood, disappointed, or betrayed.

Lord, when we find ourselves in a pit, remind us that You are still with us. When we are in a season of waiting, remind us that You are still working. When discouragement tells us to quit, give us the strength to keep going. Don't allow disappointment to steal our faith or delay to make us doubt Your goodness. Don't allow the world's definition of success to distract us from Your purpose.

Help us keep our eyes on Jesus. Give us the grace to trust You when we don't understand and the patience when the promise seems delayed. Give us courage when the road is difficult and faithfulness when no one else sees what You are doing.

Take every place in our lives that the enemy intended for evil and use it for Your glory and for our good. We surrender our plans, our timelines, our dreams, and our expectations to You.

Teach us that true success is not about being seen by people, but about being faithful to You.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Author: Priscilla Campbell

Editor: Christine Platt